Michigan Expects to Extend Streak of 100,000-Plus Crowds in 1987

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan athletic department officials forecast seven more crowds of 100,000 through the 1987 football season, extendng the Wolverines' streak to 79 straight crowds of over 100,000.

"We have never had a year where the ticket demand has been so heavy," Michigan Athletic Director Don Canham said. "This year we had to return approximately 4,500 season ticket requests, over $500,000."

Ticket manager Al Renfew said the university had to return new season ticket requests as well as requests from season ticket-holders who wanted more tickets.

"Part of the reason for the increased demand has to be attributed to the increase in the number of student season tickets requested," Renfrew said. "We have an extra 2,000 student ticket requests alone and that has necessitated the return of many of the general requests."

Michigan will have 95,000 season ticket-holders. Only tickets for Long Beach State on Sept. 26 and a few for Northwestern on Oct. 31 remain for the 1987 season.

The 100,000-plus streak began after Michigan's 55-7 victory over Indiana on Oct. 5, 1975, before 93,857 fans. The streak also includes the NCAA single game record of 106,255 in 1979 against Ohio State.